FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you offer Telephone or Videochat therapy?

Yes, we offer therapy through the use of various forums: telephone, videochat, and in-office settings. Please understand that some of these forums may have limitations to them and we highly suggest you speak with one of our representatives if you are interested in pursuing any type of therapy with us.

Where is the office of The Better You Institute?

We are conveniently located in downtown Philadelphia.Walking – We are a short walk from center city high rise offices at 16th and Cherry St., if you want to catch us during your lunch break.

Public Transportation – We are 1 block north of the Suburban Station stop on the Regional Rail. We are a 1.5 blocks West of the Race/Vine Street stop on the Broad Street subway line. The 2 and 27 buses stop at 16th and Cherry St. and 16th and Race St.; the 48 bus stops at 15th and Arch St.; the 2 and 48 buses stop at 17th and Arch St. All within a 1 block radius of our office at 1531 Cherry St.

Driving – We are the Broad Street exit off of RT 676 coming from RT 76 or RT 95. You will take a right on 15th street going South off 676E. You will continue onto 15th street from the exit off 676W. You will then turn right onto Cherry Street and find our office on the corner of Cherry and Mole St.

How is parking by your office?

There are plenty of parking lots available within a 1 block radius of our office. Please be mindful that during the day (before 5pm) these lots can cost ~$25/hour. After 5pm these lots offer discounts, some of them as little as $5/hour.

Street parking is available by meter (some credit card, some coin) on Race Street, 15th Street, and 16th Street. After 6pm, 15th Street and Cherry Street are free in certain areas. Callowhill Street (north of Vine St.) and 16th Street have credit card operated meter parking until 8pm and then it’s free.

For those of you who like to feel the wind in their hair, there is motorcycle parking on Cherry St., in between 16th and 17th Street. Or, there are bicycle racks on Cherry Street in between 15th and 16th street.

Does The Better You Institute take insurance?

Yes, we are an out-of-network provider. By filling out this form, we can better assist you in knowing exactly what your coverage is and if you can utilize your insurance in your therapeutic treatment.

Please note, we are not an in-network provider. We do work with major insurance companies such as Blue Cross, Aetna, Highmark, Cigna, and others. In our experience, clients who go through their insurance by receiving therapy from an in-network therapist have several limitations to the treatment they receive and find the insurance companies to be somewhat invasive. In-network therapists are required to share more information with your insurance company. By being out-of-network, we are able to keep your information more private, and therefore giving you the best level of confidentiality.

Once you complete this form, we will speak to your insurance company about which benefits you have, we will file your claims, and put your reimbursement toward your fee.

You may also have access to a tax free Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flex spend. These accounts usually come with a credit card linked to them and can be used for certain medical expenses such as mental health therapy.

You may also be eligible for a tax credit, which we can provide a receipt for that as well.

Here is a helpful phone script for you if you would like to call your insurance yourself to see what your coverage is. However, we’d be happy to contact your insurance company on your behalf, just fill this form out.

You: “I’m interested in seeing a therapist that is out-of-network for [individual (90837), couples (90847), or family (90847)] therapy, what is the amount that you cover for this?”

Insurance provider: Will usually give you a percent or a flat rate, and may discuss meeting a deductible.

You: If they do not mention a deductible, make sure you ask “Do I have to reach a deductible before you reimburse with this percentage?”

Insurance Provider: Will guide you through your plan and what it’s benefits are.

You: If the insurance rep doesn’t mention maximum number of sessions, be sure to ask “Am I limited on how many times I can see my therapist within the year?”

Insurance Provider: Should provide you with the regulations surrounding number of visits allowed.

You: “What is the process for submitting the paperwork to get reimbursement?”

What is the hourly fee?

Your fee will vary depending on what your insurance coverage is. We’d be happy to discuss this with you over the phone after speaking with your insurance company.

How long is a typical session?

Your session time can vary depending on your needs as a client. For some of you, a 50-minute session will be enough. However, you may experience times when you need a longer appointment. We pride ourselves on being able to accomodate your scheduling needs.

What can I expect in the first session?

Your therapist will take a few minutes to go through the paperwork that you will be sent via a secure online portal. In order to save time, please have your paperwork completely filled out before your first session. Going through the paperwork in person will ensure that you are fully informed of your confidentiality and the therapeutic process, and your therapist has all of your information to help Better You. You will also have time to ask any clarifying questions that you may have about the paperwork.

After the paperwork is completed, you will then begin discussing what brought you into therapy. The therapist will take a full assessment of the presenting problem. At the end of the session, your therapist will summarize your issues and help you to create a treatment plan. Depending on the issue, your therapist will send you home with homework for the next session.

What are your treatment modalities?

We see Individuals, Couples, and Families face-to-face at our office, over the phone*, or video chatting*.

At The Better You Institute, we believe people cannot be put into just one category; and, therefore, they cannot be treated with only one mode of therapy. We are eclectic in our work. Some of the more common therapy techniques that we utilize in our work with clients come from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Attachment Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Experiential Therapy, Psychoeducation, and Exposure Therapy.

*Most insurance companies do not cover phone or video therapy. Please call your insurance company for more information.